For the Prime Minister, David Cameron, it has been a clear victory, but not without bitterness.

The country has avoided a break-up and also avoided opening an additional focus of crisis in Europe at a delicate time, with the Ukraine crisis in full swing, the economy still ailing and various secessionist movements in Spain, France, Italy and Belgium which were awaiting the decision of the Scots.

Scotland's No to independence comes the same day the Catalonian Parliament is getting ready to approve a law to call a referendum on self-determination on November 9. The Spanish Government breathed a sigh of relief after learning of the result in Scotland, precisely the one it wished for.

Given a historic chance to go it alone as an independent nation, Scottish voters chose to stick with the United Kingdom following a campaign that was marked by extraordinary turnout and profound division.

Throughout the debate, the "yes" camp was consistently louder, more visible and seemingly better organised. But unionists insisted all along that they represented "a silent majority" of Scots - a prediction that was borne out in the vote totals.

The announcement of results came just hours after nearly all of Scotland turned out to vote on Thursday in a referendum marked by civility and passion. The vote offered residents of this ancient land the chance to create the world's newest independent nation by breaking up one of its oldest unions.

HEADS OVER HEARTS' RULE AS SCOTLAND VOTES NO TO INDEPENDENCE IN HISTORIC REFERENDUM

Voters in Scotland have sent a clear signal to continue as part of the United Kingdom in a historic referendum vote, although there promises to be a substantial change in the 307-year union in the coming months.

Just over two million people, or 55.3 per cent of registered voters, said No to independence, with over 1.6 million, or 44.7 per cent, in the Yes camp. British Prime Minister David Cameron, speaking outside 10 Downing, expressed satisfaction at the result just after 7 a.m. local time on Friday and said it was time for the United Kingdom to move forward.

"There can be no disputes, no reruns. We have heard the settled will of the Scottish people," Cameron said.

"I also want to pay tribute to Yes Scotland for a well-fought campaign and to say to all those who did vote for independence — we hear you," he added.

French politicians have welcomed the results of the independence referendum in Scotland as a lesson in democracy.

Mindful of what could have been a political earthquake in Europe, they are celebrating the outcome.

Philip Cordery, national secretary of the Socialist Party in Europe, said it is a "relief" for Europe and highlighted the "exemplary" nature of the election in terms of the turnout and the respectful acceptance of the result.

Scotland is staying in the United Kingdom but the co-ordinates of British politics have shifted. The concessions from London change everything.

The English will not accept the Scots being granted further self-determination without a fuss, not while a similar increase in rights for the English regions is not forthcoming. People there want more powers too.

The clear results of the referendum do not mean Great Britain is going to stay the same.

Scotland has chosen to stay in the United Kingdom, spurning independence in a historic referendum that had worried allies and investors.

The campaign for independence had galvanized this country of 5.3 million but also divided friends and families from the remote Scottish islands of the Atlantic to the tough city estates of Glasgow.

Breaking apart the United Kingdom has worried allies, investors and the entire British elite whose leaders rushed late in the campaign to check what opinion polls showed was a surge in support for independence.